Monday August 13, 2018

New MD Dan Stinton: Revenue & audience surging at Guardian Australia

The recently arrived managing director of Guardian Australia Dan Stinton has had the bar set pretty high on arrival.

By James Manning

Just weeks after Stinton arrived in the Sydney office from his previous role at Seven West Media in Perth, the digital outlet has had two great sets of numbers to talk about.

Guardian Australia has just had its best financial year in the five years since it launched. “We made an operating profit of $700,000, which was slightly ahead of our forecast,” Stinton admitted to Mediaweek. “A significant factor in that was funds received in the financial year 2017/18 from the 6

5,000 supporters of Guardian Australia. That drove a substantial increase in revenue and helped us pass break even. Some people make one-off contributions while others make contributions on an ongoing basis.

“Guardian Australia has a unique reader revenue model in that we don’t have a paywall because we want our journalism to remain open to all, so we simply invite our readers who value that to make a contribution. Thankfully a large number of readers see the benefit of that and have contributed.”

The news brand launched the membership program just two years ago.

Given he only recently arrived, Stinton emphasised, “I had exactly zero to do with that successful outcome.”

Stinton added reader revenue accounts for 36% of total revenue with advertising revenue accounting for the rest. “Reader revenue was up 145% year-on-year.”

APN Outdoor’s further investment in data and analytics with new hires

APN Outdoor has announced further investment in data and analytics, with the appointment of a new head of data and insights and two data scientists.

The three appointments highlight APN Outdoor’s ongoing commitment to creating a world-class data and analytics team and capability. They follow the launch in early July this year of Dn’A, a data and analytics innovation that will maximise the impact and effectiveness of outdoor advertising.

Kevin Morrell has been appointed head of data and insights at APN Outdoor, effective August 27. He will report to general manager, marketing, Charlotte Valente.

Morrell was most recently head of data and analytics at Southern Cross Austereo. His resumé includes senior data, analytics, segmentation and customer interactions roles at BT Financial Group, Bridge and ING Direct Australia.

Derek Slone-Zhen will join APN Outdoor in October as a data scientist. He is currently senior manager, Insight Analytics, at PwC Australia and has been closely involved in the development and launch of Dn’A for APN Outdoor. Slone-Zhen has also held senior data roles at Data Republic, Quantium and Seven West Media.

Kevin Zhang is also joining APN Outdoor as a data scientist, effective September 3. He is currently lead data scientist, business analytics, at Cubic Corporation and has held senior data scientist and quantitative analyst roles at Westpac, Origin Energy and Crown Resorts.

APN Outdoor chief executive officer and managing director JamesWarburton said: “The launch of Dn’A in July proved that we are delivering on our commitment to the market that we would invest in data innovation to increase the insights we can deliver to advertisers, to make their outdoor campaigns more effective.

“The response to Dn’A from advertisers and agencies has been phenomenal and has far exceeded our expectations. Right now, we have an extensive pipeline of briefs for Dn’A in market with major advertisers. We are also finalising our plans to expand Dn’A with new data sets and features.

“The appointment of three highly experienced data, analytics and insights executives builds on our strategy of combining powerful data and various connection points to enrich our understanding of audiences and help our customers create smarter campaigns that will have smarter impact,” he said.

“Kevin Morrell’s highly successful career in creating, leading and implementing data strategies, commercialising data products and creating audience-based insights for advertisers are the perfect credentials to lead APN Outdoor’s established data and insights team.

“Derek and Kevin Zhang both have deep experience in data, insights and automation across a range of industries. They are passionate about ensuring information, systems, processes and people work together effectively and about creating new ideas and insights through advanced data interrogation and automation.

“Together, they will make a great team and will produce valuable insights and knowledge for our customers,” she said.

The Daily Telegraph’s Sharri Markson wins Kennedy Awards trifecta

The print and online publishing model might be under attack, but Australia’s biggest two news publishers continue to set the news agenda.

News Corp Australia was the biggest winner at the Kennedy Awards on Friday night with 14 of the 34 awards.

The biggest single winner on the night – with the three major awards – was The Daily Telegraph’s national political editor Sharri Markson. Her scoops on Barnaby Joyce and his affair with a staffer saw her win for Scoop Of The Year, Outstanding Political Reporting and Journalist Of The Year.

Peter Lalor, Lucy Cormack, Jana Wendt

Highlights of the evening included the appearance of the wife and sons of the late Paul Lockyer, who were so moved by the moment they found it hard to announce the winner of the award in his name, which ABC reporter Anna Henderson won.

During a long awards show, short speeches were much appreciated by the audience. Newcastle Herald photographer Jonathan Carroll did best as he collected his award with one word – “Fuck”.

Seven reporter and producer David Richardson gave perhaps the most memorable speech as he pleaded for the recall of Today Tonight as a national brand. “TT isn’t dead,” he said after collecting his award for Outstanding Team Player. “If we are going to fight a war, let’s put an army in the battlefield,” he added, alluding to Nine’s domination of the commercial TV nightly current affairs offering.

Jana Wendt had a standing ovation when she was onstage for her Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Australian’s Peter Lalor spoke as well as he writes after collecting the sports reporting award and The Australian’s James Jeffrey noted it was his birthday as he collected his Outstanding Columnist award and led the crowd for three cheers.

Daniel Underhill calls himself one of the originals of Nova 93.7. He has been with the Perth station since it was established in November 2002 and has held three roles since.

By Kruti Joshi

Underhill is the program director of the #1 station in Western Australia’s capital city.

While much of the eastern part of Australia is going through a drought, it was “bucketing down” in Perth when Mediaweek spoke to Underhill.

He talked about his long run at Nova 93.7 very fondly. However, he emphasised that the radio markets then and now are like “chalk and cheese”.

“Oh my God, it’s changed so much. The biggest change that I talk about is social media. When we started there was no Facebook or Twitter. We had a website. We knew that was important, but we didn’t understand how to really deploy it compared to the way we do now,” Underhill said.

This has had a big impact on the commercial aspect of radio too.

“Everyone in the media now has to be commercially aware and able to deliver integrated solutions that are new, different and use all facets of the toys we now have to operate,” Underhill explained. “You have to be able to turn them around in short timeframes.

“When I started at Nova, I was a creative writer. We used to get briefs which we would have two or three weeks to work with. We had beanbags in the office then. You could sit on them and ponder away with an idea and experiment in the studio for a few hours.”

This is nearly unheard of now. “Nowadays, if we have 24 hours on a brief, which may affect one station or the network, that is big,” Underhill said.

Network Ten commissions Endemol Shine to make Ambulance Australia

Network Ten has commissioned the documentary series Ambulance Australia to be produced by Endemol Shine Australia (ESA).

The fly-on-the-wall series will take an unprecedented look at the NSW Ambulance frontline, taking viewers on a journey from the high pressure NSW Ambulance Triple Zero Control Centre, to the race against time of NSW paramedics on the road.

Each episode will provide an honest look at the everyday demands on call takers, dispatchers and on-road paramedics, who are forced to make split-second decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We are delighted to bring the Ambulance format to Network Ten. The engaging and emotional human drama has made this show a huge hit in the UK and we are sure Australian audiences will find the amazing work of the NSW Ambulance service equally compelling.”

Endemol Shine Australia CEO Mark Fennessy said: “Through a combination of groundbreaking production techniques and inspired storytelling, Ambulance Australia reveals the incredible synchronicity between paramedics in the field and call takers and dispatchers in the emergency control centre as they face a diversity of challenges on any given shift that is nothing short of staggering. Their compassion and selflessness are breathtaking.”

Ten reveals 25 Bachelorettes who hope to find love with Nick Cummins

Network Ten has revealed the 25 Bachelorettes who hope to find love with Bachelor Nick Cummins in the new season of The Bachelor Australia, premiering on Wednesday August 15 at 7.30pm on TEN and WIN Network.

Ranging in age from 23 to 34 and hailing from all over the country, this year’s Bachelorettes are a diverse group of women with one thing in common: a passion to find “the one”.

Bachelor Nick “The Honey Badger” Cummins opens the doors of the Bachelor mansion to welcome this select group of ladies on their romance journey of a lifetime. Through a series of cocktail parties and breathtakingly memorable dates, they will discover who has the chemistry, intelligence, sense of adventure and charm to be Nick’s perfect partner.

On her idea of a perfect date, Shannon said: “Being out in nature, sitting on a picnic blanket, drinking wine and having good conversation.”

Radiographer Brittany, student Cass and lifeguard Juliana are the three Bachelorettes from New South Wales, with dance teacher Emily and political adviser Alisha representing the Australian Capital Territory.

Personal trainer Dasha and flight attendant Kayla are South Australia’s Bachelorettes and representing Western Australia are youth worker Brooke and account manager Susie.

Leaving her life in Bali behind, fashion designer Cat is hoping Nick will give her a reason to return home to Australia permanently.

Nick Cummins said: “I’m really looking forward to throwing everything at this opportunity to find the one. The past 10 or so years have been on the road playing rugby or working on my projects, so I’m very excited to be part of a show that is centred around love and good times.”

News Corp/Nine JV channel Your Money announces executive team

• Glen Caro new program director and Nadine Blayney news director

Your Money, the re-branded Sky News Business, has announced its senior executive team and the appointment of business journalist Chris Kohler.

The joint venture between Nine and Australian News Channel (ANC) is expected to launch at the end of September. Your Money is describing itself as a 24-hour business, personal finance and luxury lifestyle channel and will be available on FTA and Foxtel.

Kohler will join Sky News Business journalists including Brooke Corte and Ticky Fullerton. Currently national business editor at Domain, Kohler has previously been a business reporter for The Australian and Business Spectator.

“Chris has a unique ability to cut through the jargon and present complex finance stories in an entertaining and engaging way,” said Kylie Merritt, CEO of Your Money. “He brings great insights from his time at News Corp and Domain to complement the existing team.”

Merritt also confirmed the joint venture has made its first key sales hire, appointing Simon Hopkins as commercial director. Hopkins has held many senior media sales roles including founder of content consultancy ContentShed, commercial and revenue director of Brand New Media and general manager of national sales and marketing for Fairfax Regional Media.

Also joining the management team at Your Money are Glen Caro as program director and Nadine Blayney as news director.

Caro joins from SBS, where he was executive producer of Insight. He has previously held roles at Nine including at the Today show and Weekend Today. Caro will oversee a new suite of evening programs encompassing wealth, real estate, luxury lifestyle and small business.

Blayney joins Your Money from Sky News Business where she was most recently channel manager, having also been an anchor and executive producer across programs. Blayney brings extensive business and television journalism experience and will be responsible for the news output of Your Money.

The three new executives join Kylie Merritt and David Ash, previously announced as head of digital.

“Since unveiling the new joint venture in late June we have moved quickly to bring together a strong team of commercial and editorial executives ahead of the channel launch later this year,” said Merritt. “The team is well placed to ensure Your Money provides a powerful platform for audiences and advertisers alike across television and multiple digital channels.”

Nielsen’s Megan Clarken added to final speaker list for RESET 2018

The AANA (Australian Association of National Advertisers) has announced its final speaker for the 2018 RESET conference, Megan Clarken, global president, Watch, Nielsen (USA), who will join seven other global marketing leaders at RESET in Sydney on September 18.

Since joining Nielsen in 2004, Clarken has held numerous global executive positions and led the global team responsible for the strategy, development and management of Nielsen’s leading measurement products for television, digital and cross-platform content and advertising. As architect and executor of Nielsen’s total audience strategy and product delivery, which aims to reflect the total audience of content and ads across all screens and to provide like-for-like metrics for digital and video, Clarken’s initiative has spearheaded Nielsen’s position in cross-platform media measurement around the globe.

Clarken has direct control of $1b of spend as Nielsen’s product lead globally and is accountable for $3b+ of revenue across 45 markets including the US, China, India, Italy, Germany and Australia. She is most recently the recipient of the prestigious ASI Speakers Award, the Broadcasting & Cable Wonder Woman of 2016 award and ranked #45 in the B&C list of most powerful people.

“Cross-platform measurement is increasingly crucial to the Australian market,” the AANA’s CEO John Broome said. “Megan’s presentation is set to be highly topical, and possibly controversial in aspects, but is certainly one that will deliver important insights to all marketers concerned with measuring their content and advertising effectiveness across a range of multimedia.”

•One of advertising’s most influential people, Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman, Ogilvy UK • Fellow Australian Sarah Harden, CEO of Hello Sunshine (USA), the company she founded with Hollywood actress, producer and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon• David Gluckman (UK), creator of Baileys Irish Cream and author, who brings with him 40 years of brand development from within the beverages industry • Former agency and marketing leader Cathy Novelli, Global Head of Corporate Marketing, Quantcast (USA), who challenges conventional wisdom to drive better business outcomes • Marketing director and strategy consultant Alastair Herbert, founder, Linguabrand (UK), who reveals how to harness the power of listening• Tea Uglow, Creative Director and a founder member of Google Creative Lab, will introduce new thinking on a range of topics ranging from creativity, diversity, culture, neurodiversity and sexuality• Derreck Kayongo, founder of Global Soap Project (USA), is a business and marketing entrepreneur who takes us on a journey from refugee to CEO.

Stan Australia and Cartoon Network partner for Adventure Time series final

Stan Australia and Cartoon Network have teamed for the series final of American cartoon series Adventure Time.

The two media outlets will host a screening at the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter in Sydney on September 4. Tickets are free but the number of seats are strictly limited. The fan event will host 1,000 people, who will be joined by characters Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Lemongrab and Ice King.

ARIA Charts: Rappers rule + new albums from Trophy Eyes and Diesel

Singles

The Canadian rapper Drake continues to rule the singles chart – not for just the past four weeks with In My Feelings, but for 17 weeks this year, which is how long he has occupied top spot.

No change at all to the top six this week, which means Dean Lewis and 5SOS are again #2 and #3 respectively. Also racking up weeks in the top 10 is Conrad Sewell with Healing Hands now charting for nine weeks, the last three in the top 10.

The only new entry in the top 10, and the only artist to have new releases debut in the top 50, is Travis Scott with Sicko Mode (featuring Drake) at #7. He also had other tracks from his album debut at #10 and #46. The Texan-born rapper has criss-crossed the US, living in both New York and California.

Albums

More diversity in the albums chart with a new #1, two new releases in the top 10 and six charts debuts in the top 50.

The third album from Travis Scott, Astroworld, has debuted at #1 after his previous album, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, peaked at #10 two years ago.

Newcastle rock band Trophy Eyes have again debuted at #8 with their third album The American Dream after their second album ChemicalMiracle peaked at #8 in 2016.

The other new releases inside the top 50 are:

#15 YG with Stay Dangerous. Third album from the US rapper and his highest chart debut.

#16 Diesel with 30: The Greatest Hits. The compilation celebrates three decades of music from the rock guitarist and includes five top 10 singles the biggest of which was Tip Of My Tongue, which peaked at #4 in 1992.

#21 Mac Miller with Swimming. The fifth album from rapper Mac Miller after his previous release The Divine Feminine peaked at #13 in 2016.

#31 Graeme Connors with From The Backcountry. The 22nd album release from Mackay’s finest is the latest in his prolific career.

Top 10 Game Charts: No new updates as Crash #1

For the second week in a row no new games have muscled their way into the Australian top 10 charts for retail sales.

By Luke Reilly, Games Editor, IGN Australia

Our prediction last week that No Man’s Sky was likely to crack the top 10 on the back of its significant “Next” update appears to have been premature, or perhaps off the mark. Despite the re-release adding a large suite of new features and making an appearance on Xbox One for the first time, we’re not seeing an impact in the charts. On closer inspection, it didn’t squeeze into the individual platform chart for Xbox One, either.

It’s likely that back catalogue juggernauts like those listed below will continue to dominate the retail charts throughout a largely quiet August. Expect a big shake up starting in September (when the high-profile sports franchise instalments like FIFA 19 begin to arrive) and certainly in October (Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 marketing machine kicked back into gear last week; that’s a game you’ll be seeing a lot of in the charts in the not-too-distant future).

Nine

The Block revealed the bathroom week creations and in doing so outperformed all episodes from launch week with 1.19m last night. The judges weren’t holding back either in their first workout for 2018.

60 Minutes then did 733,000, down from 803,000 a week ago, but still enough to win the timeslot.

Crime Investigation Australia then did 365,000.

TEN

Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures was the channel’s best with 634,000, after returning last week to the channel with 882,000, a dip of close to 250,000 week-on-week.

Although it has been moved from the timeslot, the first episode of Street Smart had an extra 200,000 across the past seven days who saw that launch episode via playback and BVOD plus encore screenings.

Taking the 8pm timeslot was the movie Daddy’s Home on 229,000.

Earlier in the night The Sunday Project was on 382,000 at 7pm.

After the movie at around 10pm was Sports Tonight.

ABC

The season final of Jack Irish had an audience of 727,000 after launching with 723,000 six weeks ago.

The second episode of Grand Designs: House Of The Year earlier in the night did 536,000.

SBS

Grave Of The Vikings did 301,000 at 7.30pm followed by Vitamania on 277,000.

Week 32-33 TV: Friday-Sunday

FRIDAY METRO

ABC

Seven

Nine

Ten

SBS

ABC

10.7%

7

24.3%

9

17.7%

TEN

9.6%

SBS One

4.6%

ABC 2

3.1%

7TWO

4.3%

GO!

4.2%

ONE

3.3%

VICELAND

1.1%

ABC ME

0.6%

7mate

4.3%

GEM

1.8%

ELEVEN

2.1%

Food Net

1.2%

ABC NEWS

1.5%

7flix

2.8%

9Life

2.5%

NITV

0.1%

TOTAL

15.9%

35.9%

26.2%

15.0%

7.0%

SATURDAY METRO

ABC

Seven

Nine

Ten

SBS

ABC

13.1%

7

23.3%

9

14.2%

TEN

6.8%

SBS One

6.0%

ABC 2

3.4%

7TWO

3.9%

GO!

6.2%

ONE

2.4%

VICELAND

1.7%

ABC ME

0.6%

7mate

5.5%

GEM

1.8%

ELEVEN

2.3%

Food Net

0.9%

ABC NEWS

1.4%

7flix

3.3%

9Life

2.9%

NITV

0.1%

TOTAL

18.6%

36.0%

25.1%

11.5%

8.8%

SUNDAY METRO

ABC

Seven

Nine

Ten

SBS

ABC

13.6%

7

20.5%

9

23.3%

TEN

7.5%

SBS One

4.9%

ABC 2

2.4%

7TWO

3.7%

GO!

3.0%

ONE

2.3%

VICELAND

0.7%

ABC ME

0.5%

7mate

6.5%

GEM

2.8%

ELEVEN

2.3%

Food Net

0.8%

ABC NEWS

1.0%

7flix

2.5%

9Life

1.7%

NITV

0.1%

TOTAL

17.5%

33.1%

30.8%

12.0%

6.5%

SUNDAY REGIONAL

ABC

Seven Affiliates

Nine Affiliates

Ten Affiliates

SBS

ABC

14.9%

7

20.9%

9

20.7%

WIN

7.6%

SBS One

4.4%

ABC 2

2.5%

7TWO

3.1%

GO!

3.6%

ONE

2.4%

VICELAND

0.8%

ABC ME

0.9%

7mate

5.1%

GEM

5.0%

ELEVEN

2.7%

Food Net

0.8%

ABC NEWS

1.2%

7flix

1.7%

9Life

1.6%

NITV

0.1%

TOTAL

19.5%

30.8%

30.9%

12.7%

6.1%

SUNDAY METRO ALL TV

FTA

STV

85.3%

14.7%

ALL PEOPLE RANKINGS

Friday Top 10

Seven News Seven 876,000

Nine News Nine 828,000

Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 807,000

Nine News 6:30 Nine 780,000

ABC News ABC 617,000

Better Homes And Gardens Seven 612,000

The Chase Australia Seven 559,000

A Current Affair Nine 546,000

Seven’s AFL: Friday Night Football Seven 484,000

Hot Seat Nine 479,000

Saturday Top 10

Seven News Seven 868,000

ABC News ABC 710,000

Nine News Nine 685,000

Shakespeare And Hathaway ABC 543,000

Seven’s AFL: Saturday Night Football Seven 388,000

DCI Banks (R) ABC 358,000

Seven’s AFL: Saturday Night Football – Post Match Seven 349,000

M: Independence Day Seven 344,000

Border Security – Australia’s Front Line (R) Seven 308,000

Back Roads S4-Encore ABC 294,000

SUNDAY FTA

Seven News Seven 1,251,000

The Block Nine 1,192,000

Nine News Nine 1,016,000

Little Big Shots Seven 878,000

60 Minutes Nine 733,000

Jack Irish ABC 727,000

ABC News ABC 701,000

Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures Ten 634,000

Sunday Night Seven 573,000

Grand Designs: House Of The Year ABC 536,000

Seven’s AFL: Sunday Afternoon Football Seven 459,000

The Sunday Project 7pm Ten 382,000

Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous Seven 365,000

Vera (R) ABC 307,000

Sunday Afternoon NRL Live Nine 295,000

M- Kingsman: The Secret Service-PM Seven 276,000

Weekend Sunrise Seven 256,000

Ten Eyewitness News Ten 248,000

Insiders-AM ABC 247,000

Landline-PM ABC 247,000

SUNDAY Multichannel

M: Kingsman: The Secret Service-PM 7mate 276,000

Border Security – Australia’s Front Line-E2-PM 7TWO 175,000

Border Security – Australia’s Front Line-E3-PM 7TWO 174,000

M- Men In Black 2-PM 7mate 170,000

The Hive-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 168,000

Bananas In Pyjamas-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 162,000

Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 157,000

Wanda And The Alien-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 152,000

Rusty Rivets ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000

Border Security – Australia’s Front Line-PM 7TWO 149,000

Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 149,000

Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 147,000

PJ Masks-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 144,000

The Big Bang Theory TX4 9GO! 141,000

Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 132,000

Midsomer Murders 9Gem 131,000

Play School-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 131,000

Little Roy-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 129,000

The Big Bang Theory TX3 9GO! 127,000

Border Security USA E2 PM 7TWO 126,000

SUNDAY Subscription TV

Live: NRL Storm V Sharks FOX LEAGUE 232,000

Live: AFL Melbourne V Sydney FOX SPORTS 50 3 196,000

Live: NRL Raiders V Wests Tigers FOX LEAGUE 188,000

Live: AFL Nth Melb V Bulldogs FOX FOOTY 166,000

Live: AFL Fremantle V Carlton FOX FOOTY 141,000

Live: Sunday Night With Matty Johns FOX LEAGUE 139,000

Live: Bounce FOX FOOTY 119,000

Live: Controversy Corner FOX LEAGUE 93,000

Live: Sunday Footy On Fox FOX FOOTY 76,000

NCIS TVH!TS 60,000

The Beep Test FOX FOOTY 57,000

NCIS TVH!TS 53,000

The Professor’s Farewell Tour FOX LEAGUE 49,000

NCIS: Los Angeles TVH!TS 44,000

Live: NRL Sunday Ticket FOX LEAGUE 43,000

Teen Mom 2 MTV 42,000

Outsiders SKY NEWS LIVE 42,000

Live: Motorsport: MotoGP FOX SPORTS 50 6 42,000

Vampirina Disney Junior 39,000

Nella The Princess Knight Nick Jr. 38,000

Shares all people, 6pm-midnight, Overnight (Live and AsLive), Audience numbers FTA metro, Sub TV nationalSource: OzTAM and Regional TAM 2018. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM

Media News Roundup

Business of Media

Sean Anderson unable to negotiate new Myer deal for Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins has been signed to Myer for 12 years, pocketing nearly $16 million along the way, but now the embattled retailer is tightening the screws, hiring a younger but comparatively unknown reality television star as her replacement, and at a fraction of the price.

Hawkins, her manager Sean Anderson and Myer’s recently installed new chief executive, British import John King, have been unable to negotiate a deal with the former Miss Universe at the price she wanted, reports Fairfax Media’s Andrew Hornery.

Model Jennifer Hawkins

Hawkins will retire from her starring role as the store’s celebrity ambassador in November.

A former Newcastle cheerleader, who turns 35 in December and became a global celebrity when she was crowned Miss Universe by Donald Trump in 2004, Hawkins is contractually obliged to walk in the Sydney spring-summer launch on August 23.

However, while Hawkins is understood to be happy to walk, there is no denying tensions will be high backstage that night as the model, who was being paid $1.3 million a year throughout her deal with Myer, prepares to share the catwalk with 25-year-old Elyse Knowles, who is understood to have signed with the store for $150,000, reportedly ruffling Hawkins’s feathers.

New Myer ambassador suing former agent in commission dispute

Sean Anderson was also in the news over the weekend regarding another client:

Elyse Knowles has done her block over a payment feud with her former manager, reports News Corp’s Briana Domjen.

The newly signed Myer ambassador, who rose to fame after appearing on The Block, is taking respected agent Sean Anderson to court over his cut of her earnings from the hit show.

The Sunday Telegraph understands the claim, which has been lodged with Melbourne Magistrates Court, is for about $60,000 – a 10% cut of Knowles’s earnings from the popular renovation program.

Knowles wants the commission back as she claims to have applied to appear on the DIY reality show on her own accord, without the assistance of Anderson and his contacts.

Anderson vehemently disagrees.

“We pitched Elyse and (her partner) Josh for the show, organised their auditions, negotiated her participation agreement with Nine, managed all her Block publicity and so, quite rightly, commissioned her share of earnings from the show as per our contract,” Anderson said.

Three months after Sunday Confidential revealed the once tight relationship between Sebastian and the man who successfully guided his career for 12 years had soured, the court battle between the pair has kicked off – and will no doubt get messy.

“Yes, unfortunately after not being able to agree on a reasonable resolution we are headed for court,” he said.

“Guy is claiming he does not owe commissions on any work that 6 Degrees has done and that he doesn’t have to reimburse any of the costs we incurred on his behalf or on behalf of his wife and (charity) foundation.

“What we are owed is still being calculated but I estimate, between Guy, his wife and the Sebastian Foundation, 6 Degrees is owed $800,000. He is claiming I need to pay over my commissions, which he says are approximately $200,000.”

Another development in Geoffrey Rush v Daily Telegraph & journalist

Prominent theatre director Neil Armfield told actor Geoffrey Rush to make his gestures towards his young co-star Eryn Jean Norvill – who was playing Rush’s daughter in King Lear – more “paternal”, because a key scene was becoming “creepy and unclear”, a new defence document filed to the Federal Court has alleged, reports The Australian’s RosemaryNeill.

The document, filed by lawyers for The Daily Telegraph, which is being sued for defamation by Rush, also claimed: “Mr Armfield further directed the Applicant (Mr Rush) not to stroke the complainant’s (Norvill’s) body.”

These allegations appear in The Daily Telegraph’s second further amended defence document in the case. The new document has been prompted by Norvill agreeing to testify for the newspaper, which is now pursuing a truth defence.

Lawyers for decorated war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith have asked federal Attorney-General Christian Porter to refer leaks of details of an inquiry into the former soldier to the federal police for criminal investigation, report Fairfax Media’s Michael Evans and Deborah Snow.

In a statement released by Seven West Media on Sunday, Roberts-Smith, an executive at Kerry Stokes’s Seven Network operations in Queensland, acknowledged an unsuccessful attempt on Friday to stop Fairfax Media publishing allegations about his service in Afghanistan and a domestic violence allegation.

Roberts-Smith denies all the allegations and claims leaking details of the inquiry broke federal law.

“I commenced the proceedings because I am concerned that Commonwealth laws have been breached by the disclosure to Fairfax Media of confidential information of the Commonwealth,” he wrote, adding that evidence given to the inquiry was also confidential.

“I am also concerned that the Fairfax press are publishing such information with knowledge that it must be classified and the subject of secrecy provisions, including those applicable to the evidence before the inquiry.”

Fetch TV now has 700,000+ subscribers and making a profit

Fetch chief executive Scott Lorson says the pay television provider has a clear road to 1 million subscribers, boosted by growth in telecommunications players bundling entertainment services and customers switching over to the national broadband network, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.

The challenger pay TV business had a record year in 2017-18, adding about 160,000 customers to push past the 700,000 subscriber mark, achieving profitability and growing revenues to more than $155 million.

“Fetch is now fulfilling its promise, having achieved scale, secured a strong strategic position in the market, and now generating a positive cash flow,” Lorson told The Australian Financial Review.

In recent years, Fetch has made deals with a number of major Australian telcos, whose bundles account for 80% of its sales, including Optus, iiNet, Dodo and iPrimus.

News Brands

Daily Mail disputes copy theft claims from Fairfax and News Corp Aust

Increasingly frustrated editors and journalists claim Daily Mail Australia’s “theft” of news stories has become more brazen and an almost daily occurrence, undermining investment in quality journalism, reports The Australian’sMatthew Denholm.

The free news website has long antagonised newspapers by regurgitating their stories, but several editors told The Australian it had reached new levels that were “destructive” to serious journalism.

The editor of The Weekend Australian Magazine, Christine Middap, said the Mail’s replication of the magazine’s cover story on August 4 – revealing new theories on the fate of US pilot Amelia Earhart – was particularly galling.

The executive editor of Fairfax’s The Sydney Morning Herald and TheAge, James Chessell, said the Mail’s “churning of stories” was a source of deep frustration among journalists.

“In many cases our journalists put in multiple days’ work into a story only to see it reappear in the Mail within hours and often without any form of attribution,’’ he said. “It’s a form a legalised theft.”

Heywood, a former Courier-Mail editor who worked for News Corp for 20 years before joining the Mail, hit back. “Daily Mail Australia is growing its presence and investment in the industry while publications throwing bombs continue to gut their newsrooms,” he said.

Journalists’ union calls on ACCC to safeguard jobs at Nine & Fairfax

The journalists’ trade union is calling on Nine chief executive HughMarks to seek formal authorisation from the competition regulator over the broadcaster’s proposed $2.1 billion takeover of Fairfax Media as it steps up efforts to safeguard 7,000 jobs affected by the deal, reports The Australian’s Darren Davidson.

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance chief executive Paul Murphy said the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s informal review process was inadequate because Nine was not compelled to provide detailed information to the regulator and the public.

A formal authorisation process could consider how Fairfax’s five metropolitan daily publications, 16 community newspapers, 135 regional titles, 21 agricultural publications and associated websites would be “preserved and integrated in the merged structure”, Murphy wrote in a letter to Marks obtained by The Australian.

Television

Sky News boss: “We have wider cross section of views than anywhere”

Sky News is no stranger to controversy. Since adopting its “right at night” strategy – replacing news with conservative opinion in primetime – it’s endured public criticism, bitter in-fighting and dramatic staff departures.

“We are a news and opinion channel and have a wider cross section of views than anywhere else on TV,” says Sky News Australia CEO Angelos Frangopoulos. “Our viewership numbers prove it’s something valued by Australians and we will continue to invest in it.

“It’s a 24-hour rolling news environment. Everyone from the top down works very hard. I make no apologies. We have senior and junior journalists. To call our executive producers… ‘assistants’ is disrespectful to them. When someone is doing a good job they are praised. When they make a mistake we address it immediately, like any good journalism business does.”

Some accuse management of spending too much on the salaries of big stars and too little on producers. “Absolute rubbish,” Frangopoulos replies. “We have hired more additional reporters and producers in the last 18 months than ever in our history and we are seeking more.

Bevan Lee on agency “dickheads” and ABC’s “disgraceful” drama output

Bevan Lee’s journey with A Place To Call Home has been a roller coaster indeed, reports Fairfax Media’s Nathanael Cooper.

The show was launched with grand ceremony by the Seven Network in 2013, but despite good ratings was not renewed at the end of its second season.

For Lee, who had been Seven’s top drama creator for decades and had a close personal connection to the show, it was a challenging time.

“It was very distressing to me. I totally understood why Seven made the choice – it had become bad business, the show’s demographic had become older and advertising is run by young dickheads who don’t realise old people have money,” he says.

Lee is currently trying to get his next project financed. And despite nearing 70, he has no plans to slow down, especially when the state of Australian drama is nowhere near where he might like it to be.

“There’s so much other good stuff being made, I’m not going to waste my time dutifully watching bad Australian television,” he says.

“I think the turnout from ABC drama for the last three years is f—— disgraceful. They keep saying ‘We’re the ABC’. No – you are a sad remnant of what was a once great drama department.”

News Corp’s Ana Brain picks two keepers from Ten’s Pilot Week

News Corp’s national TV critic Anna Brain has previewed most of the shows in TEN’s pilot week.

She lists two clear favourites:

Taboo: By far the best concept in pilot week, this is a show about laughing with people you really shouldn’t be laughing at.

Based on a Belgian format, comedian Harley Breen takes a short trip with four disabled people, then spends a week writing comedy about them.

What an excellent opportunity for a comedian.

Verdict: Easily the pick of the bunch. Clever, thought-provoking and funny. Fingers crossed we see more of Taboo.

Trial By Kyle: This one is troubling. It’s based on one of the most successful series ever, Judge Judy. It stars Kyle Sandilands, who, contrary to good taste and common sense, is the most notorious broadcaster in Australia. It seems like a no-brainer… this should work.

Verdict: Trial by Kyle is up against The Footy Show and The Front Bar, and will smash the competition. Very likely to be commissioned for a full series.

Suite of British subscription TV channels return to Virgin after fee dispute

British television channels such as Dave and Gold are returning to the screens of Virgin Media customers after a fees dispute with UKTV was resolved, reports the BBC.

Virgin Media said that free-to-air channels had already been restored, with paid channels following shortly.

Virgin had previously refused to pay what it called “inflated” fees and complained that it was not allowed to show all channels on demand.

More than five times as much on-demand content will now be available, it said.

About four million subscribers of the cable company lost access to 10 UKTV channels in July after talks broke down, disappointing fans of shows such as Taskmaster and Red Dwarf as well as classic comedies like Only Fools and Horses and Miranda.

UKTV, which is part-owned by the BBC, had said it could not accept the “drastic” price cuts proposed by Virgin Media.